Magnetic preliminary control valve



Nov. 12, 1963 E. HERION 3,110,468

MAGNETIC PRELIMINARY CONTROL VALVE Filed Jan. 29, 1958 1r ,8 i 16 f; 15 6' I1 I l 2,?

IN VENT OR United States Patent 3,115,463 MAGNETIC PRELIMINARY CONTRGL VALVE Erich Herion, Distlerstrasse 21, gtuttgart, Germany Filed Jan. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 711,988 Claims priority, application Germany .llan. 31, 1957 7 Claims. (Cl. 251-29) The present invention relates to a magnetic preliminary control valve in combination with a reversing valve for automatically reversing the movement or" a tightly guided valve piston in accordance with the pressure of a pressure fluid and adapted for the control of one-way or multiway high pressure valves.

When used with such a preliminary control valve, a certain stroke of the tightly guided main valve piston which is used for directly actuating the individual valve parts requires a certain pressure increase and decrease and thus a certain quantity of the pressure medium which is to be controlled in order to carry out the respective control movements. II" the reversing operation of such a valve is to proceed very quickly, it is necessary to move the pressure medium very quickly back and forth through the required channels toward and from the cylinder of the valve piston. Consequently, the cross-sectional area of these channels must be made relatively large.

The reversing speed of such valves can be increased only if the preliminary control valve is capable of controlling the large cross-sectional area of such channels. However, the power required for such operation increases especially :at the high pressures used in high-pressure valves so quickly that the necessary power of the elec tromagnet has to be made of an excessive size. Furthermore, beyond a certain size of the electromagnet of the preliminary control valve, the inertia of the parts which are to be moved by the magnet exerts a considerable efiect, and if the reversing operation is not to be seriously ailected by such inertia it is necessary to make the control channels which are controlled by the magnet of a cross-sectional size which is directly dependent upon the size of the area above the main valve piston. It is therefore evident that an increase of the size of the electromagnet will not result in an increase in the reversing speed of the valve piston.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electromagnetic preliminary control valve which avoids such interdependence between the size of the valve chamber and that of the control channels, and considerably increases the speed of building up and reducing the pressure in front of the main valve piston and also reduces the amount of the mechanical and electrical energy required to carry out the reversing operations, so that these operations can be carried out with a smaller electromagnet and at a considerably smaller inertia.

According to the present invention, this object will be attained by combining the electromagnetic control valve with a three-way servo valve which is interposed between the magnetic valve and the main valve piston and, in turn, controls an auxiliary pressure circuit which is branched ofl the main pressure line. This servo valve contains a separate movable valve piston which is of considerably smaller dimensions than the main piston but the function of which is similar to that of the main piston. This intermediate servo valve piston within the three-way valve is, in turn, capable of opening and closing the control channels leading to the main piston which may be of a considerably larger cross-sectional area than those needed for controlling the servo valve piston.

It is thus no longer necessary to control the largeasized channel to the main piston directly but this may now be done merely indirectly by means of the auxiliary control circuit and the interposed multiway valve and valve pis- 3,136,463 Patented Nov. 12, 1963 ton. The cross-sectional area in front of the main piston may thus be made of any desired size and the flow of the pressure fluid thereto may be easily controlled and quickly reversed by the auxiliary control circuit which, in turn, may be controlled by a very small electromagnet. The electric power required to operate the new valve may thus be considerably reduced to as little as 0.4 watt, and it is now possible to operate the magnetic valve directly, for example, by means of an electronic control system, without any intermediate electric relay or amplifier.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof, particularly when read with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a longitudinal cross section of the essential parts of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the same discloses part of a multiway valve within a housing l in which a main piston 3 is slidably mounted in a longitudinal direction for efiecting the automatic control of the individual valve parts 4 and 5 in accordance with the pressure of the fluid pressure medium. Instead of a multiway valve, piston 3 may also operate a simple straight-way valve.

The pressure is built up in front of piston 3 through the intake opening 2 and a channel 11 which has a large cross-sectional size which is controlled only indirectly by means of a multiway auxiliary valve 9 similar to a three-way valve which, in turn, controls the two valve seats 7 and S and in principle function-s similar to the main valve. This multiway auxiliary valve 9 is mounted as an intermediate element within a housing 6 which is removably secured to the main housing 1. Housing 6 contains a by-pass 15, 16 leading into the valve seat of the preliminary control valve 18. From this point, a channel 17 leads to a chamber 13 which contains a piston 12 which forms the auxiliary piston of the multiway valve 9. i

If the preliminary control valve 18 is lifted and the outlet channel 22 is closed at 21, a pressure will be built up in chamber 13 through by-pass 15, 16 and channel 17. Auxiliary valve 9 will then be pressed upon valve seat 8, and the main piston 3 will be shunt off from the largesized channel 11. At the same time the chamber in which the main piston 3 operates communicates through the opened valve seat '7 with an outlet passage 25 of the multiway auxiliary valve to release the pressure. This outlet passage may also be connected through suitable conduits, not shown, to the main outlet of housing 1.

If the preliminary control valve 18 is moved downwardly upon its valve seat, the upper valve seat 21 will be opened and chamber IS Will be vented and the pressure released through channel 17 and outlet channel 22. The pressure then existing through channel 1 1 at the lower side of valve 9 automatically lifts this valve and presses it against valve seat 7. Thus, the pressure in front of the main piston 3 will be built up automatically through channel It) in accordance with the cycle of movements of the preliminary control valve 18 and through passages of a considerably larger cross-sectional area than those which are controlled by valve 18.

In the particular embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawing, the preliminary control valve '18 forms the armature 20 of a small control magnet 19.

Armature 2d of the control magnet 19 operates in the manner of a two-way valve and is acted upon by a spring 23, the strength of which may, if desired, be adjustable and which, when the current is disconnected, presses armature 20 upon the valve seat so as to shut off the auxiliary control circuit. To permit an adequate venting of chamber 13 through outlet channel 22, armature 20* is loosely guided within magnet 19.

Magnet 19 is preferably mounted on housing 6 by suitable connecting means so as to be removable from housing 6 to permit the latter together with the movable valve parts to be easily exchanged. If these connecting means are made of the proper dimensions, such removability of housing 6 also permits magnet 19 to be mounted directly on housing 1 so as to act in the manner of a simple preliminary control valve to close valve seat 8.

The lower side of housing 6 is provided with an annular groove 26 which serves as a connecting passage to channel l5. Housing 6 is further provided with a cover 14 which is removably secured thereto and contains the annular groove 16 and the passages leading to the preliminary control valve =18, as well as channel 17 leading to chamber 13.

Although my invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, I wish to have it understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, what I claim 1. :In a control valve, in combination, a first conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure for passage of said fluid through said conduit; first valve means movable in said conduit for controlling passage of said fluid; first control cylinder means; first piston means movable in said control cylinder means and connected to said valve means for actuating movement thereof; a second conduit communicating with said first conduit and said cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said conduit to said cylinder means; second valve means in said second conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said cylinder means is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom, and a second position in which said cylinder means communicates with said first conduit for movement of said piston means by the pressure of said fluid; second control cylinder means; second piston means slidable in said second control cylinder means, said second valve means and said second piston means constituting an integral member freely movable between said positions of said second valve means responsive to a difference in the forces exerted on said member by said fluid in said second conduit and in said second cylinder means respectively; a third conduit communicating with said first conduit and said second cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said first conduit to said second cylinder means; third valve means in said third conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which a second cylinder means communicates with said first conduit for movement of said second piston means by the pressure of said fluid, and a second position in which said second cylinder means is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom; and actuating means for actauting movement of said third valve means.

2. In a control valve as set forth in claim 1, said third valve actuating means including an electromagnetic valve actuator.

3. In a control valve as set forth in claim 1, a first housing portion having said first valve means and said first valve actuating means mounted therein, and a second housing portion having said second valve means and said second valve actuating means mounted therein, said first and said second housing portion being releasably fastened to each other.

4. In a control valve as set forth in claim 1, said valve means and'said valve actuating means being substantially coaxial.

5. In a control valve, in combination, a first conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure for passage of said fluid through said conduit; first valve means movable in said conduit for controlling passage of said lluid; first control cylinder means; first piston means movable in said control cylinder means and connected to said valve means for actuating movement thereof, said piston means defining two spaces in said cylinder means and having a larger piston face in one of said spaces, and a smaller piston face in the other one of said spaces, said other space permanently communicating with said conduit; a second conduit communicating with said first conduit and said one space for flow of said fluid from said conduit to said cylinder means; second valve means in said second conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said one space is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom, and a second position in which said one space communicates with said first conduit for movement of said piston means by the pressure of said fluid; second control cylinder means; second piston means slidable in said second control cylinder means, said second valve means and said second piston means constituting an integral member freely movable between said positions of said second valve means responsive to a difference in the forces exerted on said member by said fluid in said second conduit and in said second cylinder means respectively; a third conduit communicating with said first conduit and said second cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said first conduit to said second cylinder means; third valve means in said third conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said second cylinder means communicates with said first conduit for movement of said second piston means by the pressure of said fluid, and a second position in which said second cylinder means is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom; and actuating means for actuating movement of said third valve means.

6. In a control valve, in combination, a first conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure for passage of said fluid through said conduit; first valve means movable in said conduit for controlling passage of said fluid; first control cylinder means; first piston means movable in said control cylinder means and connected to said valve means for actuating movement thereof; a second conduit communicating with said first conduit and said cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said conduit to said cylinder means; second valve means in said second conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said cylinder means is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom, and a second position in which said cylinder means communicates with said first conduit for movement of said piston means by the pressure of said fluid; second control cylinder means; second piston means slidable in said second control cylinder means, said second valve means and said second piston means constituting an integral member freely movable between said positions of said second valve means responsive to a difference in the forces exerted on said member by said fluid in said second conduit and in said second cylinder means respectively, said second piston means defining two spaces in said second cylinder means and having a larger piston face in one of said spaces, and a smaller piston face in the other one of said spaces, said first cylinder means being vented to said other space of said second cylinder means when said second valve means is in said first position thereof; a third conduit communicating with said first conduit and said one space of said second cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said first conduit to said one space of said second cylinder means; third valve means in said third conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said one space of said second cylinder means communicates with said first conduit for movement of said second piston means by the pressure of said fluid, and a second position in which said one space of said second cylinder means is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom; and actuating means for actuating movement of said third valve means.

7. In a control valve, in combination, a first conduit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure for passage of said fluid through said conduit; first valve means movable in said conduit for controlling passage of said fluid; first control cylinder means; first piston means movable in said control cylinder means and connected to said valve means for joint movement therewith, said piston means defining two spaces in said cylinder means and having a larger piston face in one of said spaces, and a smaller piston face in the other one of said spaces, said other space permanently communicating with said conduit; a second conduit communicating with said first conduit and said one space for flow of said fluid from said conduit to said cylinder means; second valve means in said second conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said one space is vented for release of fluid pressure therefrom, and a second position in which said one space communicates with said first conduit for movement of said piston means by the pressure of said fluid; second control cylinder means; second piston means slidable :in said second control cylinder means, said second valve means and said second piston means constituting an integral member freely movable between said positions of said second valve means responsive to a diflerence in the forces exerted on said member by said fluid in said second conduit and in said second cylinder means respectively, said second piston means defining two spaces in said second cylinder means and having a larger piston face in one of said spaces, and a smaller piston face in the other one of said spaces, said other space being permanently vented, said one of first cylinder means being vented to said other space of said second cylinder means when said second valve means is in said first position thereof; a third conduit communicating with said first conduit and said one space of said second cylinder means for flow of said fluid from said first conduit to said one space of said second cylinder means; third valve means in said third conduit and movable between a first position thereof in which said one space of said second cylinder References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,998,656 Bryan Apr. 23, 1935 2,232,502 Wittmann Feb. 18, 1941 2,291,783 Baak Aug. 4, 1942 2,610,819 Sutton Sept. 16, 1952 2,788,019 Mottram Apr. 9, 1957 2,840,104 Shafer June 24, 1958 2,886,063 Ray May 12, 1959 2,914,079 Hertrich Nov. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,056 Germany May 20, 1937 114,507 Australia of 1942 

1. IN A CONTROL VALVE, IN COMBINATION, A FIRST CONDUIT ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE FOR PASSAGE OF SAID FLUID THROUGH SAID CONDUIT; FIRST VALVE MEANS MOVABLE IN SAID CONDUIT FOR CONTROLLING PASSAGE OF SAID FLUID; FIRST CONTROL CYLINDER MEANS; FIRST PISTON MEANS MOVABLE IN SAID CONTROL CYLINDER MEANS AND CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE MEANS FOR ACTUATING MOVEMENT THEREOF; A SECOND CONDUIT COMMUNICATING WITH SAID FIRST CONDUIT AND SAID CYLINDER MEANS FOR FLOW OF SAID FLUID FROM SAID CONDUIT TO SAID CYLINDER MEANS; SECOND VALVE MEANS IN SAID SECOND CONDUIT AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION THEREOF IN WHICH SAID CYLINDER MEANS IS VENTED FOR RELEASE OF FLUID PRESSURE THEREFROM, AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID CYLINDER MEANS COMMUNICATES WITH SAID FIRST CONDUIT FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON MEANS BY THE PRESSURE OF SAID FLUID; SECOND CONTROL CYLINDER MEANS; SECOND PISTON MEANS SLIDABLE IN SAID SECOND CONTROL CYLINDER MEANS, SAID 